I have a 1991 F150 4x4 5.8L E.F.I.

About a year ago it started getting slugish to start. It always started fine and all of a suden it was taking 5 seconds to start. Well after a year now it rarely starts in under 10 seconds, sometimes I have to let it rest a minute or two so I don't fry the starter. My starter is showing the signs of wear now and before I put a new one on it I need to fix the hard start issue.

It has never left me stranded, it always eventually starts. I know you ain't supused to hit the gas pedal on E.F.I. but it usually seems to help. It just acts like it aint getting gas or spark and all of a sudden wham it starts. I usually smell gas fumes if it takes extra long time to start but only then.

When I shut the engine off I hear a noise that sounds like pressure being relieved from something. I figure it is the ac or fule system. This started about the same time. Is there a valve that keeps fule pressure up when not running or something like that?

That is everthing that I can think of that might help in the diognosis.
Can anyone tell me where to start? Fuel or Spark?

 

Sounds like a fuel problem. If you haven't done it in a while, replace the fuel filter. I know on the new trucks FORD wants you to change them aroung 25K I think. You can hear your fuel pump when you turn the key. Should be a little hum for a couple sec. So you can tell the pump is ok.
hope that helps.

 

jabner,

The first thing I would check is all vacuum hoses for leaks/cracks etc. Check the fuel pressure on the fuel rail. I do not have the exact specs but a quick trip to your library for a shop manual will help. I would also check voltage to the tps to see if it is indicating the throttle is closed. Make sure the butterfly valve is closed when at idle. A leaking EGR valve will let in gas that could cause hard starts. The last thing would be the IAC valve.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

How old is your battery?

 

Sounds like your fuel injectors are bleeding down and flooding the engine. Maybe that is why you smell gas and hear some pressure release type noises. After the engine sits a few minutes see if there is still any fuel press in the fuel rail by depressing the shrader valve (looks like a tire valve) I am not sure how long the fuel system should stay pressurized, if there is no pressure then it may be leaking past the injectors. Also if your plugs have a lot of black carbon on them and if they are wet with gasoline after sitting a few min. The injectors are leaking.